Subjective Well-Being: the Problem of Analyzing Population Qualitative Heterogeneity (part 2)

Subjective Well-Being: the Problem of Analyzing Population Qualitative Heterogeneity (part 2)


Kuchenkova A.V.

Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Researcher, Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia a.v.kuchenkova@gmail.com

Tatarova G.G.

Dr. Sci. (Sociol.), Prof., Chief Researcher, Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia tatarova-gg@rambler.ru

ID of the Article:


For citation:

Kuchenkova A.V. , Tatarova G.G. Subjective Well-Being: the Problem of Analyzing Population Qualitative Heterogeneity (part 2). Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2024. No 5. P. 66-78




Abstract

The article substantiates the importance of the methodological problem of analyzing qualitative heterogeneity of an objects’ set in the process of sociological measurement of subjective well-being. It presents the results of an exploratory study aimed at testing a number of tools in reconstruction procedures of social types among the population as qualitatively homogeneous latent formations (according to the nature of subjective well-being). In the first part of the article, an analysis was carried out of the “researchers’ request” for methodological reflection on the use in mass surveys of such subjective well-being generalized indicators as life satisfaction, personal happiness; the problem of the complete set of particular indicators was considered; the expediency of using relationships between the generalized indicator and the particular indicators as a basis for the typology was substantiated. This part of the article provides a brief description of the fuzzy classification algorithm from the class of logical-combinatorial methods used to search for typological syndromes, that are the basis for identifying typological groups. The results of a typological analysis, based on the RLMS HSE, wave 26, 2017 data are presented. Identification of the qualitative heterogeneity specifics in subjective well-being was carried out for all workers and for groups among them, representing three stages of the life cycle.


Keywords
qualitative heterogeneity; subjective well-being; generalized indicator of subjective well-being; particular indicators of subjective well-being; typological analysis; type-forming feature; typological structure; basis of the typology

References

Cummins R.A., Eckersley R. et al. (2003) Developing a national index of subjective well-being: The Australian Unity Well-being Index. Social Indicators Research. Vol. 64: 159–190.

Iliev R., Bennis W.M. (2023) The Convergence of Positivity: Are Happy People All Alike? Journal of Happiness. No 24: 1643–1662. DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00631-9.

Kuchenkova A.V., Tatarova G.G. (2019) “Life-cycle Stage” as a Determinant of Personal Subjective Wellbeing. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 8: 30–43. DOI: 10.31857/ S013216250006135-1. (In Russ.)

Kuchenkova A.V., Tatarova G.G. (2023) Fuzzy Classifications in the Typological Analysis of Workers by Employment Instability. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 10: 27–40.

Ragin C.C. (2000) Fuzzy-set social science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Rihoux B., Ragin Ch., eds. (2009) Configurational comparative methods: Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and related techniques. London: SAGE.

Schneider C.Q., Wagemann C. (2012) Set-theoretic methods for the social sciences: a guide to qualitative comparative analysis. Cambridge University Press.

Tatarova G.G., Kuchenkova A.V. (2016) Indicators of Subjective Well-being as Characteristics for Typology Building. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 10: 21–32. (In Russ.)

Tatarova G.G., Kuchenkova A.V. (2020) “Life Satisfaction” and “Personal Happiness” in the Sociological Studies of Subjective Well-being. In: Gorshkov M.K. (ed.) Reforming Russia: Yearbook. Iss. 18. Moscow: Novyy khronograf: 565–589. DOI: 10.19181/ezheg.2020.24. (In Russ.)

Content No 5, 2024